On the spur of the moment we decided to travel to California two days after Christmas. It was to be a February trip, but circumstances pointed our way to taking the trip early.
We basked in the sun in Borrego Springs, Southern California, where my great niece, Tai, my nephew Donald, and wife, Nga, live. It's like going to a resort, but the greatest reward is visiting with them. My sister (in-law), Donald's mother, lives in the nearby mountains and comes down to visit while we are there. She cooked a New Year's Dinner we ate on the patio.
Each morning while we were there I went up on a knoll near their house and meditated and read and prayed on a rock looking toward the rising sun, allowing the sun to thaw the cold in my bones from living in the Northwest (which I love, but just not in January!).
In spite of warm weather, the highlight of the trip was seeing Tai, Donald, Nga, Sue, Stan, Annie, meeting Stephanie and Soleil (my step great niece), Shoshana and David, Aunt Ethel, cousin Cheryl, brother Jay and Jared's dad Tom, stepmom, Carol and Grandpa Glen. It was an amazing trip of connection, reconnection, family and friends. Everyone took care of us along the way and we basked in the companionship and joy of this trip. Thank you all of you.
Tai walking on a road in her desert domain looking for flowers that
came up in the most recent rain. They are few and far between but
she was able to find some. The ocotillo were blooming.
Tai intent on jumping into her dad's arms from a wall. His hand is in the left hand corner reaching out to her.
Tai with Grandma Sue
Hanging with the Big Horn Sheep. Metal sculptures of mammoths, camels, birds, a padre, sabertooth tigers, and many more have been placed on the desert floor, a vision of the Avery of Avery Labels, who lives in Borrego.
Sunset over Borrego Springs
Hiking in the slot caves with Ben, Donald, Nga and Tai with examples of layers of sediment over the eons behind them.
A view of the Salton Sea from the off-road park in the Anza Borrego Desert where Donald
does GIS work for the California State Parks System.
does GIS work for the California State Parks System.
Tai, Nga and Martha right before we left Borrego.
Tai with her Uncle Ben
Great to meet Stephanie and Soleil for first time.
Sorry Stan and Annie for the shot through the window of you in your bathrobe, Annie. Geez. Some photographer I am.
Ben and Martha at the beach in Encinitas, California
Friend Shoshana and Martha, Encinitas. We stayed with she and David and I forgot to get a photo of them together.
Poinsettias with Camarillo, CA in the background
My 94-year-old, Aunt Ethel, who lives in Camarillo. We went to see Avatar with her.
A tree on Mt. Diablo in Central California near Walnut Creek
Admiring teacups with cousin Cheryl. It's only the second time we've seen each other since we were children. (See photo below).
The teacups were sent to me from our distant cousin Jacquie Goudey, who had received them from her Grandmother Porter,
who had also married a Goudey, as did ours. I brought two of the four teacups for Cheryl's teacup collection
which she began when she and our Grandmother Porter used to share a cup of tea together.
Ben, brother Jay, and Martha, at Jay's apartment in Walnut Creek. Jay took us for a beautiful ride up Mt. Diablo, from which we had a 360 degree view of what we aren't certain since it was so foggy. But on a clear day, Jay tells us we could have seen the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a stunningly beautiful sight.
View from Mt Diablo at about 3700 feet looking over a sea of fog. Looks like we're in an airplane.
Sunset from near the top of Mt. Diablo
Last stop: Grant's Pass, OR to stay with Tom, Carol, and Glen (Jared's dad, stepmom and grandpa).
A delightful visit. A full trip.
Friend Shoshana and Martha, Encinitas. We stayed with she and David and I forgot to get a photo of them together.
Poinsettias with Camarillo, CA in the background
My 94-year-old, Aunt Ethel, who lives in Camarillo. We went to see Avatar with her.
A tree on Mt. Diablo in Central California near Walnut Creek
Admiring teacups with cousin Cheryl. It's only the second time we've seen each other since we were children. (See photo below).
The teacups were sent to me from our distant cousin Jacquie Goudey, who had received them from her Grandmother Porter,
who had also married a Goudey, as did ours. I brought two of the four teacups for Cheryl's teacup collection
which she began when she and our Grandmother Porter used to share a cup of tea together.
Ben, brother Jay, and Martha, at Jay's apartment in Walnut Creek. Jay took us for a beautiful ride up Mt. Diablo, from which we had a 360 degree view of what we aren't certain since it was so foggy. But on a clear day, Jay tells us we could have seen the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a stunningly beautiful sight.
View from Mt Diablo at about 3700 feet looking over a sea of fog. Looks like we're in an airplane.
Last stop: Grant's Pass, OR to stay with Tom, Carol, and Glen (Jared's dad, stepmom and grandpa).
A delightful visit. A full trip.
1 comment:
MARTHA,
HOW LOVELY!! WHAT A GREAT TRIP AND WHAT BEAUTIFUL PHOTO'S. IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR TRIP WAS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THAT PHOTO OF TAI AND HER GRAMMA. I SURE WOULD LOVE A COPY OF THAT ONE, IT'S A KEEPER.
I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU ALREADY. LET'S DO IT AGAIN.
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